We need "MMU for Dummies" FAQ - can you help?
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free skin care · Thu Jan 18, 2007 8:30 am

OK, today for the first time my interest in MMU was really sparked.

Knowing SFA about MMU, I headed to our trusty EDS FAQ Index sticky. Alas, no-one has done a "mineral make-up 101" kind of post. After a few search attempts that each gave up between 10-18 pages of results I thought I would call on our experts.

Can some of our MMU-junkie members put together some information that Mabsy could put in the FAQ index?

some topics could be:

what is MMU
why use MMU (benefits)
ingredients
color matching
application
brands
problems with MMU

etc. etc.

free skin care · Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:36 pm

Okay - This is going to be long....

Let's see if I can help you Tiger

MMU - Mineral Makeup is basically made up of minerals - the purest of the pure usually being three or four - zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and mica being the usual ingredient suspects. The larger companies (Bare Escentuals, Jane Iredale) will typically have more ingredients in them. In many cases, it's just the ratios of the ZO, TO, and mica that can make or break how you do with a foundation. A lot of women can't do mica, alot of women have a reaction to too much TO, etc, etc,..Bottom line, it's ALL individual and you just have to sample until you hit the nail on the head! **which I finally did with Lumiere!** One ingredient that seems to be the kiss of death for many women is bismuth oxychloride - this was the death knell for me and Jane Iredale. What started out as a love affair (and my first foray into mineral makeup) turned into a bitter end as my face went into breakout mode big time - and I NEVER break out! "What could it be?" I kept asking myself....enter the Delphi Forums and the mineral makeup mania board - it is THE place to be for all things mineral. It was there I posed the question that I am sure had been answered a thousand times, but b/c they are all so bloody nice over there...I got a bunch of responses indicating it could be the bismuth. That's when my sampling journey began....

Why use MMU? I dunno really. Everyone is different. Maybe some don't like the feel of traditional foundation and want to stay as natural as possible. Maybe some break out from traditional foundation and MMU offers them a great alternative. It has also helped heal skin, helps reduce redness and offers a natural sunscreen - although they can't really claim a specific spf. If applied correctly, it just looks like you, only better. It also stays on pretty much all day - you could actually sleep in it and probably not have a problem.

Color matching - Now here's where it gets tricky....Different MMU companies have different definitions for colors - one company's warm toned colors might be another's golden toned colors and one company's cool colors could be neutral in another. This is why the smaller lines always recommend you start with sampling. The computer screen is pretty tough to get a good picture of what the colors will look like when you actually get them – but I can promise that if you email the company, the owner will get back to you and give you suggestions based upon your self-description. They are so helpful. You also have to sample to find what level of color you are – are you fair, fair to light, light to medium? Etc…. The BEST way to find out what color family you are in is to do this – order from each shade (usually cool, neutral, golden, warm, olive). They will either come in baggies or little jars. Use a separate q-tip for each swatch, but take a little bit of powder, mix it with a bit of moisturizer and with your q-tip, draw swatches down the side of your cheek. Whatever melds best into your skin is probably your color family. If it’s not exact you can create your own by mixing say a neutral with a warm or something like that, but you can typically get a good idea what you are NOT by doing that. The great thing about these small companies is that they have so many colors to choose from you are bound to find a match. Then it’s just a matter of finding a formula that works for you. The infomercials on t.v. usually offer three to four shades – light, medium and dark. Sheesh. That’s ridiculous! With these smaller companies the sky is the limit – and if you’re really lucky, some of the owners might even make you a custom blend.

Application – again, very individual. There are two main brushes that are used – a kabuki and a flat top. My preference is a kabuki. You can get a regular ol’ kabuki brush or a higher end one which are very soft and usually don’t shed like the cheaper ones. A lot of the MMU companies carry them on their websites and you can order directly from them. Others like to use a flocked sponge – it’s pretty soft. I have never been able to wrap myself around that method. It just doesn’t work for me. What you have to do is have a great canvas to start with. Make sure you’re exfoliated and moisturized and that you’ve given your moisturizer enough time to meld into your skin. Then, take your kabuki and gently swirl into your minerals and tap off the excess. You can put your minerals in what the girls call a swirly bowl – which is basically a small bowl that is not too deep – kind of like a dipping oil bowl? I tap mine, then I actually rub a little off on my hand and then apply using swirling motions starting from the outside in, buffing very gently if at all. Give it a minute or two to meld into your skin. I never put it near my eyes – b/c I don’t like the look of it there, but it’s not like you can see that it’s not there – it’s hard to explain, but if it’s the right color and it’s melded into your skin, then you don’t need it near your eyes. Some women like to mix their minerals with either aloe vera gel or moisturizer to form a liquid foundation. I never liked this method for me, but you might, who knows? I do mist my brush after I apply my foundation, then go over my face very lightly to help it meld in and look creamy. I mist it with an aloe vera mist.
Once you have your foundation that you love, then you can experiment with finishing powders and luminizers, bronzers, etc….these are designed to give you that end look – either a soft glow, a matte finish, or a sunkissed look. These are fun to play around with.

Brands – oh man, there are so many and more popping up daily it seems! I must defer to the Delphi Forums and the mineralmakeupmania board b/c they list them ALL there. They have links to them as well. They are unbelievable at keeping up with them all. Most new vendors make a stop at MMM and introduce themselves and their products. Then you’re start reading raves and rants about them, and your head will spin, lol!!! I have tried so many it’s not even funny. Off the top of my head, some of the lines I have sampled include Aromaleigh, BareFaced Minerals, EveryDay Minerals, Youngblood, Alima, Lauress, Meow, Laranim, Monave, PureLuxe, Alpha SkinCare, Evans Garden, Botany 101, Valerie Beauty, Geografx, Cory, Jane Iredale, Alima, U Glo Girl, and now….Lumiere. I know there are others that I can’t think of them at the moment. I have found HG’s in a few of those lines – like Aromaleigh – their Verve blush is my favorite …but the ultimate foundation has always been elusive..but right now I think I can safety say I’m done sampling b/c of Lumiere.

Problems with MMU - I touched on some but to repeat – some people have reactions to mica and if it’s first on the ingredient list, they won’t use it. Some people can’t use bismuth – again, it’s typically the bigger lines that use this ingredient – some people can’t use too much Titanium and won’t use a product that has that first on the ingredient list…etc etc. Reactions include rashes, teeny bumps, parched or dehydrated skin, itchies, and breakouts.

The best way to apply so as not to accentuate wrinkes is to apply with a light hand and make sure you are well moisturized so that your skin is soft. You definitely have to apply a little at a time, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes easy as pie.

I will end this novel by saying that each of the sites have great tips and contact info if you need help. If I can help here, I will, but the experts are truly the ones who make it. Each and every one of the owners that I’ve ordered from have been nothing but kind, helpful, and eager to please.

Phew!!!!

Maria
Wink

free skin care · Fri Jan 19, 2007 9:09 pm

I was just reading the dehydrated skin thread going on and the lovely Lucia answered a question on applying MMU. I copied it to put in my "information" I've gathered full of these tips, but thought I would post it here too. It would be good for the FAQ too.

(This is a QUOTE but for practical purposed I am not going to use the quote function or Italic function)

From a practical view point make sure your moisturiser has soaked in, apply your MMU *NOT* in a buffing motion but in smooth downward strokes, then take a soft flocked makeup sponge and lightly smooth it over your skin - this smooths the finish and blends any dry areas, then spritz your face with a hydrosol/facial water - rose water is great for this, this will 'meld' the makeup to your skin and give a soft focus, hydrated appearance.

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